Airport hoax accused has autism: court

A young man with depression and autism will spend a week in custody after he was arrested for making unauthorised hoax transmissions to aircraft and air traffic control at Melbourne and Avalon airports.

Paul Sant, 19, faced the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with four counts of endangering the safety of aircraft and one count of interference likely to endanger safety or cause loss or damage.

The Rockbank man was arrested on Monday in relation to 16 alleged unauthorised radio transmissions between September 5 and November 3.

Defence lawyer Pern Chaya told the court Sant has been diagnosed with autism and depression but is not on any medication.

"He's 19, so he's a young prisoner," Ms Chaya said.

It is Sant's first time in custody.

He was remanded in custody and is expected to apply for bail on Monday.